Okanagan College Media Release

Consider it a homecoming of sorts - Doug Manning will revisit his roots in education when he joins the Okanagan School of Business as its 2010 Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
 
Manning is the third of a string of local renowned business professionals to lend their time to students at Okanagan College. He takes the reins from Ed Hall who served in the position in 2009. Prior to Hall, Bill Redmond was the College’s inaugural Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
 
The program allows business students to supplement their in-class learning with presentations, guest lectures and one-on-one mentoring from industry professionals who have made a name for themselves as entrepreneurs.
 
That kind of real world learning - blending theory and practice - is just the kind of partnership that makes Manning tick.
 
“I’ve always thought it was important for teachers to incorporate the community in the classroom,” said Manning. “It gives students a diversified perspective on whatever topic is being taught.”
 
Manning is the Executive Director of Special Projects for Envictus Corporation, a company whose mission is to help schools prepare more college- and career-ready students. Envictus provides curriculum and consultation to high schools to educate students about a missing discipline: self-management - or what the company refers to as navigation curriculum.
 
“We feel very fortunate to have Doug join the Okanagan School of Business,” said Barry McGillivray, Associate Dean. “If you look at Doug’s experience as an entrepreneur, his track record of success is impressive. When you combine that with his expertise in career development, education and counseling, it adds up to a strong asset that I think our students are going to benefit from tremendously.”
 
Manning is well known throughout the region as the co-founder and former CEO and President of Bridges Transitions. Before selling the internet-based career information system company in 2006, Manning was honoured for his leadership of Bridges with the Ernst & Young eBusiness Entrepreneur of the Year – BC (2001) and as Kelowna’s Entrepreneur of the Year (2000).
 
Prior to developing Bridges, Manning had a long career in School District 23 as a teacher, counselor and administrator. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in education from the University of Victoria.
 
Manning is an active blogger, public speaker, published author, and dedicated community volunteer, serving on the BCCampus Advisory Board (2003-07), University of British Columbia – Okanagan Advisory Board (2005 – present), and leading the fundraising efforts for the 2008 BC Summer Games.
 
His biography paints the picture of a savvy entrepreneur with a passion for education, a commitment to community, and a desire to help others succeed.
 
“I didn’t discover business until I was 40 years old,” explained Manning. “I’ve had so much fun working in enterprise. I particularly enjoy the formative stage of entrepreneurship, working to figure out how to practically develop all the things you dreamed were possible.
 
“Business is really just two things: creating something that fulfills a real need and then figuring out how to tell all those who want it that it’s available.”  
 
Though his full-time commitment to Envictus racks up his frequent flyer miles, Manning will be available to staff and students of the Okanagan School of Business beginning this month.
 
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with students and faculty at Okanagan College,” said Manning. “I find entrepreneurship fascinating and invigorating and I love enabling other people to be enterprising in their lives.”